Test returns to the Top End after two decades

Test cricket returns to Australia's tropical Top End for the first time since 2003 when the hosts take on Bangladesh in a two-match series beginning Thursday at Marrara Stadium in Darwin. The opener will also be Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in more than 20 years, following their previous visit back in 2003, and the start of a 12-month period in which Australia are scheduled to play at least 20 Tests.

Das '100 percent fit' to boost Bangladesh

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das is “100 percent fit” and available for the first Test. Das, who had been sidelined since June with a left calf injury and was initially ruled out of the opening Test of the two-match series, was later added to the squad and is now expected to play.

“Litton gives us batting depth,” Shanto told reporters. “He is consistent. We are hopeful of our batting unit doing well in the Test match.”

His return is a timely boost for a side that lost its only warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI by an innings and 38 runs. Shanto stopped short of naming his playing XI, saying the team would take another look at the Darwin pitch before a final call. He did, however, hint that Bangladesh could field both Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam as frontline spinners.

“The surface looks good, I think we (might stick with our) normal combination, like two spinners and three seamers,” Shanto said. “But looking at the conditions, tomorrow we'll have a chance to see it again, and then we'll decide according to the conditions.”

Bangladesh will be without fast bowlers Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman for the first Test. Rana, 23, one of the side's quickest bowlers and a key figure in their ODI series win over Australia two months ago, suffered a side strain during a T20I against Zimbabwe in July. Shoriful could return for the second match in Mackay from August 22 to 26.

With Rana and Shoriful out, Taskin Ahmed is expected to lead the pace attack, supported by at least two of Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed and Musfik Hasan.

“We're going to really miss them, especially Rana. He's a big threat nowadays in world cricket,” Taskin admitted. “But still, myself and some of the other bowlers have little bit of experience. So let's see how we do. It's a great opportunity for the bowlers playing in Australia. If Rana and Shoriful were here, it might be different, but still, we are hoping to do well.”

Australia's 'Big Four' back together

Australia, ranked No. 1 in the world, are set to reunite their feared bowling attack, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon returning from injuries alongside Mitchell Starc. Injuries have meant the four have rarely played together in recent series.

Hazlewood's expected return means Scott Boland will miss out. “We know Scotty's class, it is always a pretty tight call,” Cummins said at a press conference on Wednesday. “There is not much you can say to Scotty except there is a lot of cricket coming up. He knows his worth, and how good he is, and I am sure he will be out there at some point pretty soon.”

Allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster are also in the starting XI, with Usman Khawaja's retirement having opened the door for both to feature. Jake Weatherald, the first Test player from Australia's Northern Territory, retains his place after last season's Ashes win over England despite recent form and is expected to open with Travis Head. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will bat at No. 3 and No. 4, with Labuschagne also looking for runs to strengthen his position in the side.

A 20-Test marathon begins

The Bangladesh series launches a gruelling schedule for Australia. After the second Test in Mackay, they tour South Africa for three Tests in October, host New Zealand for four, then embark on a five-Test series in India. A one-off day-night Test against England at the MCG in March will mark 150 years of Ashes cricket, before an away Ashes series begins in June. A 21st match remains possible if Australia qualify for the World Test Championship final.